Wrench

ABSTRACT

The invention teaches a combination wrench for working on a pipe. A first wrench of the combination wrench includes a continuous chain mounted within a framework, including a plurality of sprockets, rollers, and tensioning means. Manual or power means is connected to a sprocket of the set of sprockets to drive the continuous chain. A portion of the chain circularly engages a first pipe and tends to cause the first pipe to rotate. A second wrench of the combination wrench is secured to a second pipe by tightening a chain about the second pipe in a nonslipping engagement. A stabilizing member disposed between the first wrench and the second wrench stabilizes their respective movement whereby the pipe secured by the first wrench will be stationary with respect to the pipe secured by the second wrench. In this manner, the first and second pipes may be rotatably secured to each other or rotatably separated from each other.

United States Patent 1191 Ballard 111] 3,752,@16 1451 Aug. 14.. 1.973

1541 wmzucn [76] Inventor: Estus E. Ballard, 1211 E. Gurley,

Prescott, Ariz. 86301 [22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 203,520

52 us. ca. ..'8l/64, 51/5717 {58} Fieldofscarch 81/64, 65, 66 R, 8l/57.l7, 3.43; 74/245 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,460,671 2/1949 Benedick 81/5717 2,117,611 5/1938 Karle 74/245 R 1,281,837 10/1918 Rhinelander 81/65 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Assistant Examiner-James G. Smith Att0rney-Wi11iam C. Cahill et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT The invention teaches a combination wrench for working on a pipe. A first wrench of the combination wrench includes a continuous chain mounted within a framework, including a plurality of sprockets, rollers, and tensioning means. Manual or power means is connected to a sprocket of the set of sprockets to drive the continuous chain. A portion of the chain circularly engages a first pipe and tends to cause the first pipe to rotate. A second wrench of the combination wrench is secured to a second pipe by tightening a chain about the second pipe in a non-slipping engagement. A stabilizing member disposed between the first wrench and the second wrench stabilizes their respective movement whereby the pipe secured by the first wrench will be stationary with respect to the pipe secured by the second wrench. In this manner, the first and second pipes may be rotatably secured to each other or rotatably separated from each other.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,016

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i x l 4],;

. INVENTOR.

Esrus E. BALL/12D 3 AITORNEYS Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 {Emma} 7 INVENTOR 5577/5 E. BALL/42D KJZVJMMW JfTENEY'S" WRENCH This invention relates to wrenches particularly adpated to work upon circular work pieces such as pipes and pipe fittings.

In the field of plumbing and pipe fitting, the subject matter, that is, the pipes and the fittings attached thereto, are mechanically awkward and cumbersome. They are not of angled geometric proportions which would lend them suitable to be worked upon by standard hexagonal wrenches and such tools. Fprthis reason, there have been a plurality of devices which have attempted to lessen the work and burden placed upon a workman skilled in this field. A typical example of a wrench especially suited for holding a pipe is that of the well known pipe wrench. Another relatively old tool is that of a wrench which includes a section of chain having one end securely fastened to the handle, an intermediate section wrapped partially or fully about the pipe and the chain end adjustably secured to the handle of the wrench. These types of wrenches do perform the function in an adequate manner but require certain prerequisites for efficient operation. One of these requisites is that there be sufficient space about the pipe to permit the wrench to be rotated through a sufficiently large angle in order that the pipe may be turned.

If the angle through which the wrench may be rotated is very small, the job of continually repositioning the wrench on the pipe until it has been either seated or unseated becomes extremely tedious and time consuming.

Although there have been many attempted improvements on the standard pipe wrench, these improvements have generally been confined to perfecting aspects of the design without in essence affecting the operation of the pipe wrench to any but a miniscule degree. Similarly, the improvements to the wrench employing a chain have been limited to the mechanics for attaching the chain at either its permanently attached end or at the adjustable end.

With the advent of mass production techniques and the increasingly rigid requirements for speed in assembly, disassembly, or repair, various attempts have been made to introduce power means to existing tools. One such area has been that of the pneumatic socket wrench as is commonly found in garages. Another such adaptation has been that of taking a generally configured open-end wrench and modifying it such that an inner portion of the open-ended wrench could be rotatably driven by either direct or indirect power means. These wrenches, having met at least a limited success in the commercial market, are basically directed to angled, geometrically configured devices. They are wholly unsuitable for gripping and exerting a force upon a circular work piece such as a pipe. An attempt at incorporating the thinking which evolved the above described power tools resulted in a tool of very limited utility, but it was directed toward work pieces having the configurations commonly found in pipes and physically related structures. This device required the attachment of a circular toothed jig to the pipe. A powered tool was then engaged with the jig and operated upon the teeth of the jig causing the jig to rotate. Perforce, the pipe to which the jig was attached was forced to rotate. Clearly, this invention, though of some merit, is of limited feasibility in most applications due to the necessary time element involved in fitting the jig about the pipe and thence attaching the power tool thereto.

A second drawback in this device was that of requiring a plurality of different sized jigs to meet the expected work requirements.

In applications involving relative movement between two abutting pipes or a coupling and a pipe, various combination wrenches have been designed. One of the earliest types of combination wrenches wasthat of employing two standard type pipe wrenches, each fitted about one of the pipes to be turned with respect to the other. A connecting bar between the two wrenches acted as simply a torque converter whereby a force exerted on the bar tended to cause the wrenches to rotate about the axes of the pipes but in opposite directions. Several modifications of this basic scheme were developed but each suffered from the basic requirement of a great deal of space about the pipe in order to obtain workable angles through which the torque converter and the wrenches could operate. In a somewhat more sophisticated arrangement, a single-handled dual head wrench was employed where each of the heads of the wrench engages one of the pipes. A force applied to the handle, operated, through .a'combination of linkages and pivots, to rotate the respective heads in opposite directions. This device was somewhat less cumbersome than the earlier models but still suffered from a requirement for an extensive space about the pipe to be worked on.

[t is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a device which may be used to rotate two cylindrically shaped common axes work pieces in opposite directions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power operated tool for counter rotating two common axes cylindrically shaped work pieces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool for working upon cylindrically shaped work pieces which does not require an arcuate movement of the tool.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tool for working upon cylindrically shaped work pieces which may be operated manually or with power means.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gripping wrench for a cylindrically shaped work piece which may engage a broad diameter range of cylindrical work pieces.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cutting tool for cutting cylindrically shaped work pieces without requiring an arcuate movement of the cutting tool.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cutting tool for circular work pieces which may be operated manually or with power means.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with more specificity and clarity with reference to the following figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a combination wrench incorporating the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of sectional views of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the operating wrench.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the holding wrench.

FIG. 5 illustrates a section of chain including a plurality of spaced gripper teeth.

FIG. 6 illustrates a section of chain including a spaced cutting element.

FIG. 7 illustrates a section of chain including a plurality of spaced cutting wheels.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the combination of an operating wrench 70 and a holding wrench 60 cooperatively attached to a work piece as shown by pipes 3 and 3 joined by a coupler 57. The wrench framework 1 of operating wrench 70 partially enfolds and guides the movement of the continuous chain 2 therein. The chain 2 extends partially about the pipe 3 and enters the upper portion of wrench framework 1 between sprockets l2 and 13. The size and position of these sprockets l2 and 13 is designed to force chain 2 to almost completely encircle pipe 3 before separating from pipe 3 and engaging the sprockets l2 and 13. The chain 2 resembles a standard bicycle chain in terms of the plurality of non-bendable links 58 journaled at their respective ends to an adjacent link 58. However, each of the axles 34 connecting the links 58 do not terminate at the lateral extremity of the links 58 but extend therebeyond for a finite distance. The sprockets 10, ll, 12 and 13 mounted within the wrench framework 1 comprise pairs of sprockets, each pair having its sprockets axially separated to approximately the width of the links 58. The sprockets 10, 11, 12 and 13 engage the extending portions of the axles 34 and thereby effect a non-slipping relationship.

Chain 2 disengaging from pipe 3 and engaging sprocket 12 extends about sprocket 12 for a discrete circumferential distance and thence disengages therefrom. Subsequently, the chain engages sprocket 11 and extends circumferentially therearound for a discrete distance. On disengaging from sprocket 11, chain 2 engages sprocket and circumferentially extends thereabout for a discrete distance. On disengaging from sprocket 10, chain 2 engages sprocket l3 and extends therearound for a discrete distance and thence engages pipe 3. Although chain 2 is referred to as a continuous chain, in practice it is in fact a section of a chain which has a connecting member 30 at one end which permits the two ends to be connected together and thus forms the above-mentioned continuous chain.

As the size of pipe 3, that is, the work piece, may vary in diameter and as the tool is intended to be of universal application to various diametered work pieces, compensation must be included within the operating wrench 70 to allow for different diametered work pieces. To accomplish this end sprocket 10 serves not only as a return for chain 2 but serves as an adjustment means for adjusting the effective length of chain 2. At the lower end of operating wrench 70 a threaded shaft 8, having a handle 7 attached thereto, engages an internally threaded portion 9 of wrench framework 1 whereby on turning the handle 7, the threaded shaft 8 extends into or out of framework 1. A connecting member such as connector 6 is attached to threaded shaft 8 and extends upwardly to engage the center of sprocket 11. By conventional means, sprocket 10 may be journaled onto connector 6. An opening 32 and 32' on either side of framework 1 is designed as a guide for connector 6 extending therethrough to prevent rotation of connector 6 with possible subsequent misalignment of sprocket 10 with chain 2.'Additionally, opening 32 also acts as a guide for moving sprocket 10 toward and away from the pipe 3. Another opening 33 is disposed in the top of framework 1 to permit the chain 2 to extend from without the framework 1 from sprocket 11 to within the framework 1 to sprocket 10 for any expected positioning of sprocket 10 without the chain 2 interfering with the framework 1.

After the chain 2 has been looped about the pipe 3 and firmly secured thereto by adjusting the position of sprocket l0, driving sprocket 11 is rotated by rotating its extended axle 29.

Axle 29 extending beyond the framework 1 may be configured as a standard one-fourth, three-eighths, or one-half inch drive element. Rotation of axle 29 by either a standard ratchet wrench, or electrical drive means having an appropriate sized socket causes driving sprocket 11 to rotate and thereby driving chain 2. It is to be understood, however, that another sprocket such as sprocket 10 may be effected as the driving sprocket. In such a case, the connector 6 could easily be modified to extend from only one side of sprocket 10, permitting the other side to have a driving element extending therefrom beyond the side of framework 1. In this configuration, sprocket 10 would still operate as a tensioning member for chain 2 and provide the driving force for chain 2. Additional means such as chain 49 attached to framework 1 may be used to secure the drive means to framewrk 1.

In situations where a great deal of force is required to turn pipe 3, it is most expedient to have as great a length of chain 2 as possible in contact with pipe 3. This has the meritorious benefit of distributing the rotational force about as great a circumferential area of pipe 3 as is possible. To accomplish this result, it is necessary that the sprockets 12 and 13 be as close to each other and pipe 3 as possible and thereby force the chain 2 to extend practically about the circumference of pipe 3. To effect this arrangement, each of the axles l8, 19 are mounted in paired slots 44, 45 and 46, 47. A spring bias arrangement including paired springs 21, 22 and 23, 24 urge axles l8 and 19 toward the pipe 3. Adjustment screws 25, 26 and 27, 28 operate upon springs 21, 22 and 23, 24 to adjust the bias force.

Intermediate the wrench framework 1 and pipe 3 there are disposed two pairs of rollers 14, 16 and 15, 17. These rollers provide the bearing surfaces between the framework 1 and the pipe 3. As the framework 1 is stationary during operation of the tool, with respect to the rotating pipe 3, the use of these rollers permits a relatively friction free engagement therebetween and yet serves to position the operating wrench with respect to pipe 3 as well as providing a reference point against which the chain 2 may be tensioned.

In operation, an operating wrench 70 would be placed adjacent pipe 3 with the rollers l4, 15, 16 and 17 contacting pipe 3. Chain 2 would be extended about the pipe 3 and attached to itself through connector 30. The chain tensioning assembly, including connector 6 and threaded shaft 8 would be adjusted to tightly draw the framework 1 toward the pipe 3. Sprocket l l is then rotated, either manually or by power means, causing chain 2 to travel about the path defined by the sprockets 10, 11, 12 and 13. This movement of chain 2 necessarily causes pipe 3 to rotate with respect to framework 1 as the gripping teeth 51 of chain 2 firmly engage pipe 3. It is understood, of course, that stabilizing means must be utilized to cause pipes to rotate with respect to framework 1 and prevent framework 1 from rotating about pipe 3 due to the movement of the chain 2.

In order to stabilize the operating wrench 70, a holding wrench 60 is employed. The constructional and operational features of holding wrench 60 may be most expeditiously explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. A housing 35 is configured to include a circular cavity 48 to receive threaded shaft 36. Thumb screw 37 disposed about threaded shaft 36 and axially locked within housing 35 is rotated to effect axial movement of shaft 36. By any suitable attachment means, a section of chain 39, including a plurality of gripping teeth 41, is attached thereto. The configuration of chain 39 is similar to that of chain 2 in that each of the links 58 of chain 39 includes a pair of axles 34 extending beyond the sides of chain 39. A pair of holding members such as hooks 38 extend from housing 35 on the side opposite to that of the threaded shaft arrangement. These hooks 38 engage the extending axles 34 of chain 39. At the upper end of holding wrench 60 and centrally disposed between the two chain holding configurations is a cam jaw 42 rockably journaled through bearing 43. From the above description, it will be evident that on placing the holding wrench 60 adjacent the pipe such as pipe 3' with the cam jaw 42 contacting the same, chain 39 may be wrapped about pipe 3' and hooked onto the holding wrench by engaging hooks 38. Tightening of the chain by operating thumb screw 37 will securely engage the gripping teeth 411 of chain 39 to rigidly secure the holding wrench 60 to pipe 3. The addition of cam jaw 42 also prevents any arcuate movement of holding wrench 60 about pipe.3 due to the flexible nature of chain 39.

When the operating wrench l is used in conjunction with a holding wrench 60, the function of the holding wrench 60 is that of preventing the operating wrench 70 from rotating due to the forces extant when chain 2 travels about the sprockets and causes pipe 3 to rotate. To tie the two wrenches together, a stabilizing bar 4 is inserted through an aperture 31 in the operating wrench 70 and similarly engages an aperture 54 in holding wrench 60. The stabilizing bar 4 is configured as a T-shaped bar whereby the leg 55 of the T engages the wrenches and the arm 5 extends beyond but in contacting relationship with pipe 3. The second arm 56 of ing against pipe 3 with an operator holding second arm 56. Thus, the pipe 3 will be caused to rotate with respect to pipe 3' and the two pipes may be threadably secured to or separated from coupler 57.

It is to be understood that the two work pieces, described above as pipe 3 and 3' connected by a coupler, may instead be a pipe threaded onto another pipe, or a fitting attached to a pipe. Additionally, it is possible to use the above-described cooperating wrenches to fasten or loosen nuts threaded onto bolts simply by engaging either chain 2 to the bolt with chain 39 securing the nut or vice versa. Perforce, the size of the wrenches and chain links will dictate the minimum sized bolts that may be effectively operated upon.

In addition to using the invention to rotate one member of the work piece with respect to another, several types of appropriate length chains may be used to accomplish other functions. In FIG. 6 there is illustrated a chain 50 having intermittently placed cutting teeth 52. A chain of this type when used in conjunction with operating wrench will cut into the work piece and thereby section the work piece. Other configured chains such as that shown in FIG. 7 which employ cutting discs 53 may also be used to cut a work piece. A particular advantage in using chains such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 to that of the standard methods of cutting work pieces arises from the space requirements associated with operating wrench 70. Priorly, many pipes could not be cut at the most desirable point due to their tight location with respect to other framework or pipes which prevented the requisite angular or directional movement of a saw. With the operating wrench of the present invention, the only space necessary about the work piece is that space equivalent to the thickness of the chain and sufficient space to permit the operating wrench 70 to be positioned adjacent to the work piece from some angle.

I claim: 1. A combination wrench for counter rotating two threadedly joined sections of a work piece comprising: an operating wrench having a framework supporting a plurality of sprockets and positionable adjacent a first section of the work piece, a continuous chain threaded about said sprockets and encircling the first section of the work piece, means for adjusting the length of said continuous chain encircling the first section of the work piece to obtain a frictional engagement between said continuous chain andthe first section of the work piece, means for driving said continuous chain about said operating wrench in a path defined by said sprockets and about the encircled first section of the work piece, whereby the first section of the work piece is roatably driven with respect to said operating wrench,

g a holding wrench having a cam jaw centrally positioned at one end of said holding wrench forengaging a second section of the work piece,

a length of chain secured at one sideot said holding wrench, extending about the second section of the work piece and adjustably secured to another side of said holding wrench, whereby the second section of the work piece is non-rotatably secured to said holding wrench,

a stabilizing bar interconnecting said operating wrench and said holding wrench for inhibiting rotation therebetween and with respect to the second section of the work piece, whereby the first section of the work piece may be rotated with respect to the second section of work piece on actuation of said driving means. v 2. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating wrench includes a plurality of rollers for engaging the first section of the work piece.

3. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 whrein said continuous chain comprises:

a plurality of links, and

a purality of axles connecting adjacent ones of said links, said axles extending beyond the edges of said links. 4. The wrench as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said spockets comprise:

a pair of sprockets axially displaced equivalent to the width of said links, said pair of sprockets engaging the extensions of said axles.

5. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes a tensioning sprocket, and comprises:

a connector sprocket,

a threaded shaft cooperating with a threaded aperture in said operating wrench engaging said connector, whereby rotation of said shaft displaces said connector and said tensioning sprocket with respect to said operating wrench.

6. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises:

a driving sprocket engaging said continuous chain,

an axle secured to said driving sprocket and extending beyond the sides of said operating wrench,

means for rotating said axle, whereby rotation of said axle displaces said continuous chain with respect to said driving sprocket.

7. The'wre nch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said length of chain comprises:

a pluraltty of links, and

a plurality of axles connecting adjacent ones of said links, said axles extending beyond the edges of said links.

8. The wrench as claimed in claim 7 wherein said holding wrench comprises:

axially engaging said tensioning a pair of hooks for engaging each extension of one of said axles, and a thumb screw adjustable threaded shaft engaging one end of said length of chain. 9. An operating wrench for rotating a work piece with respect to the wrench comprising:

a framework supporting a plurality of sprockets and positionable adjacent the work piece, a continuous chain threaded about said sprockets and encircling the work piece, means for adjusting the length of said continuous chain encircling the work piece to obtain a frictional engagement between said continuous chain and the work piece, said adjusting means including a tensioning sprocket,

and comprising: a connector axially engaging said tensioning sprocket, and a threaded shaft cooperating with a threaded aperture in said first framework engaging said connector, whereby rotation of said shaft displaces said connector and said tensioning sprocket with respect to said first framework; means for driving said continuous chain about said framework in a path defined by said sprockets and about the encircled work piece, whereby said driven continuous chain rotates the work piece with respect to said framework. 

1. A combination wrench for counter rotating two threadedly joined sections of a work piece comprising: an operating wrench having a framework supporting a plurality of sprockets and positionable adjacent a first section of the work piece, a continuous chain threaded about said sprockets and encircling the first section of the work piece, means for adjusting the length of said continuous chain encircling the first section of the work piece to obtain a frictional engagement between said continuous chain and the first section of the work piece, means for driving said continuous chain about said operating wrench in a path defined by said sprockets and about the encircled first section of the work piece, whereby the first section of the work piece is roatably driven with respect to said operating wrench, a holding wrench having a cam jaw centrally positioned at one end of said holding wrench for engaging a second section of the work piece, a length of chain secured at one side of said holding wrench, extending about the second section of the work piece and adjustably secured to another side of said holding wrench, whereby the second section of the work piece is non-rotatably secured to said holding wrench, a stabilizing bar interconnecting said operating wrench and said holding wrench for inhibiting rotation therebetween and with respect to the second section of the work piece, whereby the first section of the work piece may be rotated with respect to the second section of work piece on actuation of said driving means.
 2. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said operating wrench includes a plurality of rollers for engaging the first section of the work piece.
 3. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 whrein said continuous chain comprises: a plurality of links, and a purality of axles connecting adjacent ones of said links, said axles extending beyond the edges of said links.
 4. The wrench as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said spockets comprise: a pair of sprockets axially displaced equivalent to the width of said links, said pair of sprockets engaging the extensions of said axles.
 5. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes a tensioning sprocket, and comprises: a connector axially engaging said tensioning sprocket, a threaded shaft cooperating with a threaded aperture in said operating wrench engaging said connector, whereby rotation of said shaft displaces said connector and said tensioning sprocket with respect to said operating wrench.
 6. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said driving means comprises: a driving sprocket engaging said continuous chain, an axle secured to said driving sprocket and extending beyond the sides of said operating wrench, means for rotating said axle, whereby rotation of said axle displaces said continuous chain with respect to said driving sprocket.
 7. The wrench as claimed in claim 1 wherein said length of chain comprises: a pluraltty of links, and a plurality of axles connecting adjacent ones of said links, said axles extending beyond the edges of said links.
 8. The wrench as claimed in claim 7 wherein said holding wrench comprises: a pair of hooks for engaging each extension of one of said axles, and a thumb screw adjustable threaded shaft engaging one end of said length of chain.
 9. An operating wrench for rotating a work piece with respect to the wrench comprising: a framework supporting a plurality of sprockets and positionable adjacent the work piece, a continuous chain threaded about said sprockets and encircling the work piece, means for adjusting the length of said continuous chain encircling the work piece to obtain a frictional engagement between said continuous chain and the work piece, said adjusting means including a tensioning sprocket, and comprising: a connector axially engaging said tensioning sprocket, and a threaded shaft cooperating with a threaded aperture in said first framework engaging said connector, whereby rotation of said shaft displaces said connector and said tensioning sprocket with respect to said first framework; means for driving said continuous chain about said framework in a path defined by said sprockets and about the encircled work piece, whEreby said driven continuous chain rotates the work piece with respect to said framework. 